T-test vs F-test vs Z-test | Difference between T-test, F-test, Z-test
This page compares T-test vs F-test vs Z-test and mentions difference between T-test, F-test and Z-test. The applications of T-test, F-test and Z-test are also mentioned.
What is hypothesis:
• It is a predictive statement capable of being tested by scientific methods.
• Hypothesis is simple proposition which can be proved or disproved through
various scientific techniques.
• It establishes relationship between independent variable to some dependent variable.
• All these three are hypothesis tests.
• Entire decision to validate or to refuse the null hypothesis is based on
these tests. Hence it is essential to choose the right test.
T-test
• It is a univariate hypothesis test.
• It is applied in condition when standard deviation is not known and
sample size is small (n < 30).
• It is used to compare means of two populations.
• T-test is commonly used compare to z-test as explained below.
• Test statistic and assumption for T-test is mentioned for one sample test.
Similarly two sample t-test, paired t-test are performed for
various applications.
F-test
• It is a statistical test.
• It is used to determine equality of variances of two normal populations.
• It is used to compare two population variances.
• This test is based on snedecor f-distribution (under null hypothesis).
• Test statistic for F-test is mentioned. It is known as one-way ANOVA test.
It is used to test difference of three or more population means.
Z-test
• It is also statistical hypothesis test which follows normal
distribution.
• It is applied to moderate to large samples (i.e. when n > 30).
• It is used to determine whether two population means are different when
variances are known and sample size is large as mentioned.
• Z-test depends on certain conditions in order to be reliable.
Hence it is less adaptable compare to T-test.
• Z-test is preferable compare to T-test when standard deviation values are available or
known.
• Test statistic and assumption for Z-test is mentioned for one sample test.
Following table summarizes difference between these parametric test types.
| Features | F-test | T-test | Z-test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Comparing variances of two samples | Comparing the mean to a value, or the means of two samples | same as T-test but for large samples |
| Used when | 3 or more μs | n < 30 and σ is unknown | n >= 30 and σ is known |
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